The two men are among 14 pledged and alternate delegates from the area who were elected to go to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The convention begins today and runs through Thursday.

Kelley made his first convention trip 64 years ago. This time, he's an alternate delegate who will witness what will almost assuredly the first black man to be nominated for president of the United States.

"I'm a life member of the NAACP and was active in the civil rights movements in the 1960s," Kelley said. "For me, it is particularly moving experience to be present when an African American receives the nomination." Kelley won't be on the floor, but said he will be in the balcony with other alternates.

Delegates are often from the politically connected crowd. Some are politicians, some are relatives of politicians, others are leaders of labor unions. Some are uber volunteers.

But this year, Barack Obama has attracted a group of people fresh to politics.
Derrick Jackson founded the group "Michiganders for Obama" days after Obama announced his presidential candidacy. He became the statewide deputy coordinator.
"Most of the people were first-time campaigners," he said.

That includes Jackson, who is the Washtenaw County deputy chief clerk. He said this was his first experience with a presidential campaign.

Jackson intends to share his experience at the national convention through a video blog. He said it would be a behind the scenes perspective of a first-time delegate.
The highlight for Jackson will be the acceptance speech given by Obama at the end of the convention.

Jackson said most people still recall the speech Obama made at the 2004 convention that put him on the map nationally.

"I'm just curious what that speech is going to be about," Jackson said. "Just to be there for that moment is going to be pretty amazing."

Lynne Schwartz of Ann Arbor is also going as a delegate for the first time.
She has plans to go to panel discussions and parties.

"I obviously will get very little sleep," she said.

Schwartz said she has talked to more experienced convention goers who have told her that she can't do everything while in Denver.

"I said, 'I'm with Senator Obama.' I said, 'Yes we can.'"

She has ordered red, white and blue shoes for when Obama accepts the nomination at Denver's football stadium.

"To be in the stadium when Senator Obama accepts the nomination, ah, it takes my breath away to think of that moment," she said.

Patricia Scribner of Ann Arbor is a former chairwoman of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party.

It was her political prowess that helped make her a delegate.

But even she found herself on the outside looking in for some of the big-ticket events going on in Denver this week.

EMILY's List, an organization that supports pro-choice Democratic women running for public office, is having an event featuring Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Michelle Obama.

"It's all sold out," Scribner said.

Tickets range from $50 to $5,000 to see the trio.

"I'm just like heartbroken. I put my name on a waiting list. It was a recording. You might as well pack it up and forget it." Still, Scribner will have a chance to see Clinton, Pelosi and Michelle Obama while on the floor at the convention.